Clipperz vs KeePassium
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Clipperz | KeePassium |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 70 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Swift |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 1,696 |
| First released | 2006 | 2019 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Clipperz and KeePassium?
Clipperz
Clipperz is an open-source, zero-knowledge web password manager. All encryption happens in the browser before data reaches the server, so the host never sees plaintext credentials.
- Zero-knowledge browser encryption
- No plaintext ever sent to server
- Direct login links to sites
- Exportable encrypted data
KeePassium
KeePassium is an open-source password manager for iOS and macOS that works with KeePass KDBX databases. It supports Face ID, Touch ID and AutoFill while keeping all data under user control.
- KDBX-compatible iOS and macOS app
- Face ID and Touch ID unlock
- Password AutoFill integration
- Hardware key support
Clipperz vs KeePassium: key differences
Clipperz is written in JavaScript, while KeePassium is built with Swift. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Clipperz versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassium. KeePassium is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Clipperz. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while KeePassium arrived in 2019. KeePassium has the considerably larger community, at 1,696 GitHub stars versus 750.
Why pick each one
Choose Clipperz if…
- True zero-knowledge design
- Runs in any browser
Watch out for
- Project is largely dormant
Choose KeePassium if…
- Polished Apple-platform experience
- Open source
Watch out for
- Apple platforms only
- Premium tier for some features
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or KeePassium better?
KeePassium is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Clipperz if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Clipperz and KeePassium free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and KeePassium under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and KeePassium with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. KeePassium: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Clipperz or KeePassium?
KeePassium has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Clipperz. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.